Sweet strawberries, juicy watermelon and crisp grapes scream summer to me. I have vivid memories of snacking on chilled, fresh produce with my cousins after swimming in the pool for hours. At almost every summer barbecue you can find a bowl of colorful fruit salad!If you’re looking to eat a little healthier this summer or simply need to get creative with your weekend farmers’ market haul, here are a few suggestions of ways to eat more fruit.

Wash and Cut ASAP

Right when you get back from the grocery store or farmers’ market, wash and prep your fruits so they are ready to eat. You’ll be much more likely to grab a handful of grapes versus a handful of crackers if they’re clean. The same goes for melons! Cube up watermelon or cantaloupe as soon as you can and store in airtight containers for easy access.

Blend it Up

Blend together a banana, any fresh or frozen fruits you have on hand and even toss in some spinach or chia seeds while you’re at it. Not only will you be getting several servings of fruit, but you’ll be packing in the nutrition to one refreshing drink.

Parfaits for Days

A Greek yogurt parfait is one of my favorite ways to eat up fruit. I’ll combine plain yogurt with a mixture of any fruit I have on hand (blueberries, grapes, cantaloupe, apples, bananas, etc), add a drizzle of agave, some granola or slivered almonds, and top with cinnamon for a super quick breakfast. Paired with an English muffin and peanut butter, I feel fueled for the morning

Infuse Water

A few berries and a couple of slices of citrus transform your average glass of water. This summer, stay hydrated with homemade flavored water and snack on the fruit at the end of the glass! I love lemon water, but strawberries and raspberries always add great flavor.

Mix Up Salads

Adding fruit to salads is one of my favorite ways to transform the flavor of a dish while eating more fruit. Sliced strawberries, halved grapes or diced apples – just to name a few – add great texture and sweetness to an everyday chicken salad with greens.

Rethink Dessert

When I studied abroad in Spain, my host family would end every lunch with a fruit of choice. We would each grab a banana, plum or peach as the final sweetness to a hearty meal. I loved the concept of fruit being a dessert instead of a processed, chocolate sweet.

Happy Hour

Whether you’re blending up a margarita or shaking a mojito, adding a handful of fresh fruit is an easy way to sneak in some produce. Muddle berries at the bottom of the glass for flavor and then add your mixings per usual. I’m still dreaming of this watermelon rosé margarita!

Love food. Love self. Love life.
Gabriela

Photos by Leah Trib Productions / Styled by Simply Audree Kate

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